Editor’s Note: Caitlin Fitz Gerald writes about international affairs and civil-military relations at Gunpowder & Lead. She is currently turning Carl von Clausewitz's On War into an illustrated children's book. You can find her on Twitter at caidid.

By Caitlin Fitz Gerald – Special to CNN

American foreign policy is often torn between shared values and strategic interests. Nowhere is the divide more pronounced than in U.S. dealings with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Although Saudi Arabia has an egregious record on human rights, a major arms deal is being finalized between the country and the U.S. Indeed, Saudi Arabia appears positioned to remain a stable center of U.S. policy in the region, now more than ever.

Saudi Arabia's record on human rights is dismal . The plight of the country's foreign domestic workers is so bad that Indonesia this year barred its citizens from working there after a particularly serious incident. Laborers not only work long hours for little pay under draconian sponsorship laws, but abuse is common, redress virtually unknown and a worker is more likely to be convicted for standing up for herself than to see her employer convicted for abusing her. Saudi citizens cannot rely on the rule of law either, as the legal system is still built largely on un-codified religious law and royal decree. Even codification efforts seem aimed toward formalizing injustice. Despite some recent changes, women in Saudi Arabia have diminished legal standing; a woman's voice carries half the weight of a man's in court proceedings and women require the supervision of a male family member for many activities. They are also not permitted to drive, which is the only rights issue for which U.S. politicians have applied any public pressure on the Saudi regime.

Nevertheless, last fall, the U.S. came to an agreement with Saudi Arabia on a $60 billion arms deal, the biggest such deal in U.S. history. It includes a large package of new fighter jets, upgrades to older jets and a variety of attack helicopters, as well as equipment, weapons, training and support for all systems. It hasn't been finalized, but Congress raised no objections when the deal was reviewed last fall. In fact, in July there were reports that the deal was being expanded to include an additional $30 billion to facilitate upgrades to the Saudi Navy. An agreement of this scope and magnitude shows a clear commitment by the United States to its future relationship with the Kingdom. Upgrading their fleet will allow them to take a stronger posture against Iran and those attack helicopters will be useful for limiting spillover from the chaos in neighboring Yemen.

While our Secretary of State and various members of Congress are lobbying the Saudi regime to allow women the relatively minor freedom of driving, others in our government are negotiating billions of dollars in arms sales to the Kingdom and watching quietly as Saudi troops clamp down on their neighbors' democratic reform movements. Our actions speak for themselves. With Egypt in a turbulent transition and unrest sending tremors through the whole region, the U.S. is banking on Saudi Arabia to help contain the chaos in Yemen, keep Bahrain a quiet home for the busy Fifth Fleet of the U.S. Navy, prevent Iran from dominating the region, and of course, keep the oil flowing. There is also a bonus effect of filling any potential void in military spending to our massive defense industry that might be left by anticipated cuts to domestic defense spending. We have $60-90 billion in military hardware riding on Saudi Arabia - never mind a substantive discussion of human rights or democratic reform.

This is problematic in several ways. It has become a tired refrain in international policy circles: Why do we have a responsibility to protect the civilians of Libya, but not the people of Saudi Arabia? Why do we oppose the extremist ideas of Iran or the Taliban, but remain silent while Saudi Arabia uses its wealth to spread Wahhabist ideology around the world? We have a clear credibility gap. We can only talk of democracy and universal rights while materially supporting their biggest opponents for so long before our words are rendered meaningless. Our stance on these issues should be clear and consistent, even if our approach to promoting that stance must be different for different states. Otherwise, on any occasions when we want to spark a discussion or spur action on these issues, our opinion will be given significantly less weight.

The strategic interests that drive our relationship with Saudi Arabia now may seem more important in the short-term, but in the long-term, what has the greatest potential to serve our interests: the arms we can sell to Saudi Arabia or the example of free expression and assembly we can set? What is a bigger long-term threat: Iran, with its devastated economy and ever-waning legitimacy, or the extremist ideology Saudi Arabia spreads through the mosques and schools it builds and funds all over the world?

For many years, the U.S. turned a blind eye to the abuses of the Mubarak regime in Egypt in a trade-off for a perceived security advantage only to be left stumbling for a reaction as the Egyptian people took it upon themselves to oust him. Saudi Arabia is still a long way from this stage, and American support will make that distance longer, but eventually change will come, in one way or another. Maybe it will be a peaceful democratic transition; maybe it will be a coup from within the dynasty or from the Wahhabi religious establishment. Do we want to have an unblemished record of support for a repressive regime when that time comes? Or would we rather have the credibility of a nation that encouraged reform and expanded liberty and that might be in a position to influence or lend assistance to a genuinely democratic movement?

soundoff(42 Responses)

krm1007

As a country, culture, civilization USA lacks values and principles other than throwing borrowed money at problems. Therein lies its probable cause of extinction. USA has no sense of direction except day to day survival mode fighting talibans. So what policy to change with Saudi Arabia.....? Too little too Late?

To be on the safe side of history, one should always support the people of a country, rather than their governments and rulers. These come and go, people stay. The U.S. is walking on a tight rope in dealing with Saudi Arabia.
The only hope for this country to change lies in the hands of the young, especially women. Being educated and open, they have more courage and incentive to urge for reforms. Yet there's a danger that the Saudis keep the status quo, as their grievances can be addressed with material compensations. If reforms are voiced, they might just be made symbolically.

I am a liberal Saudi (and a proud agnostic too!!), that being said. I realize that my country -just like any other country- has it's goods and bads. Nonetheless, I find Ms. Gerald's article to be factually inaccurate and I believe that her analysis shows a deep lack of understanding of the Middle East, its people and cultures. I am almost certain that Ms. Gerald has never stepped a foot in Saudi or even the Middle East, and somehow she calls herself an "expert" on the middle east. You can't just become an expert by Googleing the word "Saudi".

My criticism of Ms. Gerald's article doesn't mean I am exonerating Saudi. However, I believe that we are making progress – even though it is very slow- in the right direction. We need change to come from inside. We need people to strongly believe in that change. We need evaluation. People don't like it when other people claim the higher moral ground and start lecturing them about human rights and so on. Imagine if Norway, Sweden, or even France pressed the U.S to abolish the death banality on it soil! How would Americans (or Texans) feel??!

Saudi was founded in 1932 and women were given the right to vote in 2011, let's compare that to the U.S. The U.S was declared in 1770s and women were not given the right to vote until 1920s !!

You are wrong, Saudi women are not given the right to vote in 2011, but in 2015, if they were it would be retroactive and not prospective four years from now.

Liberal, agnostic or whatever, the problem with muslim countries is they want to creep into free countries to dismantle their religious freedoms and replace them with destructive Islam and if they can't the men act like lawless spoiled goons.

I agree Mo. I am an American woman living in Dubai and I think there are very great steps being made forward. Saudi needs to go slowly and then it will make it. If it goes too fast it will explode like a time bomb. Like I said in another post, Russia rushed its changes and is still a mess. China took things slowly and is now the communist/capitalist powerhouse of the new century. Those of us who know the region respect what efforts are being made and respect them. Yes, we wish they were faster, but I think there is danger in too fast in this region. Slow and steady is a better pace for Saudi, I agree. Thanks.

You are representing 0.001% of the Saudis. Your country is the Sponsor of terrorist and terrorist ideology all over the world. At least in Pakistan the liberal public hate Saudi policies all over the world. All terrorist activities in the world directly or indirectly relate to Saudi Wahhabi ideology or selfishness policies and petro-dollar. The AL Saud Family is responsible the destruction of civil society in Pakistan and Afghanistan and elsewhere on the earth where these terrorist are committing crimes against humanity from London to Newyork, and China to Spain. This criminal family must be bring to justice ASAP. Before slow change in Saudi Society this family will destroy the whole world with their extremist ideologies and financing terrorism. West might feel in near future that the extremists involved in Syria will come back to the homes.

I'm from Saudi and I believe my country needs to change in many ways, especially politically. All these 'votes' and elections we have don't mean anything real. The people who will be elected will only work with trees and streets and nothing more serious. When the media talks about women now are able to vote in Saudi, I ask them, vote on what? Can men even vote on anything that they deeply care about? No we can't.

You are representing 0.001% of the Saudis. Your country is the Sponsor of terrorist and terrorist ideology all over the world. At least in Pakistan the liberal public hate Saudi policies all over the world. All terrorist activities in the world directly or indirectly relate to Saudi Wahhabi ideology or selfishness policies and petro-dollar. The AL Saud Family is responsible the destruction of civil society in Pakistan and Afghanistan and elsewhere on the earth where these terrorist are committing crimes against humanity from London to Newyork, and China to Spain. This criminal family must be bring to justice ASAP. Before slow change in Saudi Society this family will destroy the whole world with their extremist ideologies and financing terrorism. West might feel in near future that the extremists involved in Syria will come back to the homes.

Slavery! I don't know why you're throwing the slavery argument here! Nonetheless, social evolution takes time, and generations! Don't just expect a people to change many of their ways so quickly because you gave them "technology"!

Plus, the thing that I don't really understand is why there are so many people in the West who are so keen to see changes take place in Saudi?! Do they love Saudi that much? or Maybe they're planning to visit Saudi as soon as it changes according to their standards? Do these people really have Saudi's best interests at hart!? Judging from some of the comments posted here, I would say no they don't have Saudi's best interests at hart!

I think Saudis royal regime and US support for them have many consequences throughout the world that effect us all. The Royals do not want democracy in the region (because they don't want to be the last dictators left) so they use their money and influence to inhibit it in Jordan, Bahrain. Yemen, Egypt and the like. In order to maintain their position they have made a deal with the religious establishment where they pay off the wahhabis who then send their dollars to fund Jihad and through that terrorism. If we had democracy in KSA, the wahhabis would lose big time. KSA and the rest of the middle east would progress more quickly, religious extremism would fade and they would be in a much stronger position to demand concessions from Israel who could not play the scared victim so much.

September 29, 2011 at 11:32 am |

lisa

Cool down! I think you misinterpreted this post! He was just making a simple comparison, not saying Ssudi was like slavery. Others may say that, but not his post. Calm down! this was just a comparison. Like Americans, Saudis are hated by many people and you need to understand that and get used to it. Not all is fair and understood and you need to educate them. You are obviously a good one to do that. Read more carefully next time before just reacting to a post before really understanding it. You have alot to offer people to understand your country better. Use it wisely!

October 2, 2011 at 6:08 pm |

j. von hettlingen

"Does this mean we should still have slavery?"
How do you call the treatment of household workers from Indonesia, the Philippines etc, who slave 20 hours a day and 7 days a week, not talking about other abuses?

I find the article lacking core understanding of how the Saudi society works, and the dynamics of the ruling family with its people.

At least 60% of the Saudi population come from tribal backgrounds, and within all of those, they each have a symbolic leader. King Abdullah acts as the leader of the tribes leaders. So having a ruler in one form or another, will always be the case, as it has been the norm and the basic fabric of existence in the Arabian peninsula long before Islam.

And I think its very naive to think all parts of the world are ready for a full democracy, as its seen in many western countries.

I believe there are the Pro's and Con's of any country, and if you look at the progression of Saudi, its on the right trajectory. Obviously they face challenges, just as any other country, but true change MUST come from within, and cannot be expedited by foreign and usually unfamiliar "experts" that try to be a catalyst for what they perceive is more righteous.

I hope the leaders understand many aspects that need to be examined and re-approached for change, such as:

– disclosing the revenues and expenditures of the nations wealth.
– giving women and minorities more freedoms and opportunities.
– more religious freedom and tolerance inside and outside the kingdom.
– deal with higher food and housing costs more aggressively.

The wheels of change in the Kingdom are moving, but against popular belief, it must come gradual and with the support of the majority, since most of the Saudi's I speak to (are themselves) divided about things so obvious as women's right to drive, so you can only imagine the divide on more fundamental issues.

I believe giving the above more attention would do alot about the contempt that many Saudi's I met carry with them, and of the speculators that are harsh towards Saudi for reasons that are not objective.

You are representing 0.001% of the Saudis. Your country is the Sponsor of terrorist and terrorist ideology all over the world. At least in Pakistan the liberal public hate Saudi policies all over the world. All terrorist activities in the world directly or indirectly relate to Saudi Wahhabi ideology or selfishness policies and petro-dollar. The AL Saud Family is responsible the destruction of civil society in Pakistan and Afghanistan and elsewhere on the earth where these terrorist are committing crimes against humanity from London to Newyork, and China to Spain. This criminal family must be bring to justice ASAP. Before slow change in Saudi Society this family will destroy the whole world with their extremist ideologies and financing terrorism. West might feel in near future that the extremists involved in Syria will come back to the homes.

Whoever is in charge in Saudi Arabia will still have to sell the OIL – they have no other means of income. It can OLNY GET CHEAPER WITH A REGIME CHANGE. We do not need the Saudis, or the people of Saudi Arabia – the need us! You mentioned Taliban and other extremists, not only is it true that Saudis are as bad, but many extremists organizations would lose their funding if Saudi Arabia was reined in.

Whoever is in charge in Saudi Arabia will still have to sell the OIL – they have no other means of income. It can OLNY GET CHEAPER WITH A REGIME CHANGE. We do not need the Saudis, or the people of Saudi Arabia – they need us! You mentioned Taliban and other extremists, not only is it true that Saudis are as bad, but many extremist organizations would lose their funding if Saudi Arabia was reined in.

Almighty Allah, God, the Alpha and Omega: Curse the oil of the Earth to dry up and turn into dust! Curse the rulers of this world with feeble minds and weak limbs! Curse the flesh of the war mongers that their flacid penises raise no more! Curse the day, Oh Heaven! Curse the night. There is no peace here. There is no good. The whole world is covered in sperm and feces. Father! Purge the Earth with fire! Free her from the human animal.

Well, Saudi Arabia should be reigned in. Here is a list of reasons: a) oppression & slavery b) attack on neighbors c) denial of rights of women and minorities d) the oft-cited oil price.... And, you are reacting as if they were the victims. Secondly, the West really does not need these people – it is the other way around.

I think the US should butt out and sort out it's own country first cause from what I see in the facts (according to the USA) there's hardly any crime there compared to USA which is the crime capital. So USA stop interfering and sort your own mess of a country and those hooligans who inhabit it.

May I remind everyone of the power the world exerted on South Africa with apartheid. While Saudi is trying to go slowly and reform, which is understandable in its culture, maybe we can actually make a difference by making them a pariah. On the other hand, this did not work with Cuba or the USSR. We cannot bleed Saudi like we did to those two and the USSR fell from its own structural problems. Cuba has outlasted them all based on its ideology. I live in the MEast and SA is not that simple. Look at Egypt and Libya now. We do not want a SA out of control! The King now is trying to go slowly to keep the radical leaders who are very powerful calm. Look at the difference in transitions between Russia and China. Russia tried to go fast under Yeltsin(I was there) and China took its slow time and is still communist but more capitalist than all of us. Who won?"? We need to be careful in pushing for fast reforms in a nation that is not able to cope with fast change. It stinks, I'm a woman, but I think this is the ugly reality.

Comparing the relative speed of change in Russia and China, to argue that slow is better, seems premature given the possibility of civil unrest overwhelming China if a downturn comes knocking. I suppose no one really understands historical change but the West created capitalism and spread modernism over 500 years, ending traditional culture in the process and the single biggest obstacle to that process continuing towards a fully integrated world market it could be argued, is Islam as it exists in the Middle East. I am not saying I like that or you should but either way I guess if compromise doesn't come conflict will.

Who said Saudi government refuses to change no one understand the society set up in my country.... Saudi are paying a big price coz we are the focuse of islamic faith ..... The whole muslim wants us to be stck in the mud they dont want us to be moderate nation coz we sre the center of sunni faith.come on give us a break let us breath ..... Try to know us before you condim us

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